Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

OM-D E-M1 Mark III with M.Zuiko 12-100
Overview
Maker	Olympus Corporation
Type	mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera
Released	February 2020
Lens
Lens mount	Micro Four Thirds
Lens	Interchangeable
Compatible lenses	Panasonic, Leica, Samyang, Tamron, Voigtländer, Yongnuo
Sensor/medium
Sensor type	Live MOS
Sensor size	17.3 x 13mm (Four Thirds type)
Maximum resolution	20.37 MP 50 MP "Hand-Held High Res Shot" 80 MP Tripod "High Res Shot"
Film speed	200–25600, with "LOW ISO 64"
Recording medium	Dual SD / SDHC / SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot)
Focusing
Focus modes	Contrast Detect (sensor), Phase Detect, Multi-area, Center, Selective single-point, Tracking, Single, Continuous, Touch, Face Detection, Live View
Focus areas	121 points
Focus bracketing	Yes
Exposure/metering
Exposure bracketing	±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Exposure metering	Yes
Metering modes	Multi, Center-weighted, Spot
Flash
Flash	Yes (via hot shoe)
Flash exposure compensation	Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync. (1st curtain), Slow sync. (1st curtain), Slow sync. (2nd curtain), Manual
Flash synchronization	1/250 s
Flash bracketing	Yes
Compatible flashes	FL-300R FL-600R FL-700WR FL-900R FL-LM3
Shutter
Shutter	Electronic and mechanical
Shutter speeds	1/32000 – 60 s
Continuous shooting	60 fps (in silent mode)
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	Yes
Electronic viewfinder	built-in 2.36 MP (with Auto Luminance, 100% coverage)
Frame coverage	100%
Image processing
Image processor	TruePic IX
White balance	7 presets, 4 Custom
WB bracketing	Yes
Dynamic range bracketing	Yes
General
Video recording	C4K: 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 4K: 3840×2160, 30/25/24p, 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM FHD: 1920 x 1080, 60/50/30/25/24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM HD: 1280×720, Motion JPEG
LCD screen	tilting 3 inch, 1,040,000 dots (upwards: 80˚, downwards: 50˚)
Battery	BLN-1 lithium-ion (CIPA 350)
Optional battery packs	HLD-9 battery grip
Optional accessories	Remote cable: RM-CB2 Multifunction remote controls: RM-WR1, RM-WR2
AV ports	Micro HDMI USB-C (Tethering and Olympus Capture) 3.5mm audio jack (Microphone, Stereo) 3.5mm audio jack (Headphone, Stereo)
Data ports	USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 2.5mm stereo jack for remote
Body features	Magnesium alloy
Dimensions	134×91×69 mm (5.3×3.6×2.7 in)
Weight	580 g (20 oz) (1.3 lb) including battery and SD card
Made in	Vietnam
Chronology
Predecessor	Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Successor	OM System OM-1
References

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is the third iteration of the flagship camera in the series of OM-D mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras produced by Olympus on the Micro Four-Thirds system. Released on February 28, 2020, it replaced the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II.

The E-M1 Mark III follows the E-M1 Mark II in embracing artificial intelligence-based features such as a deep learning autofocus system and multi-shot image processing to simulate neutral-density filters and a hi-res mode that allows the 20-megapixel camera to produce 50-megapixel images while handheld and 80-megapixel images while being on tripod. The camera also includes a 60 frames-per-second continuous shooting mode.

Features

• 20.37-megapixel Micro Four-Thirds sensor
• 121-point autofocus system
• Image stabilization (up to 7.0 EV or up to 7.5 with 'Sync IS' lenses)
• ISO range: 200 to 25600, with "LOW ISO 64"
• Handheld high-resolution shot mode
• Starry Sky AF for Astrophotography
• Up to 60 frames per second
• Multi-shot mode simulates ND filters (ND2, ND4, ND8, ND16, ND32)
• LCD viewfinder
• 3 inch screen
• 420 shots per charge
• Dual SD card slots (1 x UHS-II, 1 x UHS-I)
• 8-way joystick
• IPX1-rated weather sealing
• USB charging

Compared to the predecessor, Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III was introduced 4 years after its official predecessor, the E-M1 Mark II. The Mark III brings several changes, improvements and new features:

• The TruePic IX processor.
  • The Mark II used the TruePic VIII.
• Upgraded shutter, rated for 400,000 actuations.
  • The Mark II's shutter is rated for 200,000 actuations.
• Updated sensor dust reduction system and coating.
• Upgraded In-body image stabilization with up to 7.5 EV with IS compatible lenses and 7.0 EV with other lenses.
  • The Mark II has up to 5.5 EV.
• An upgraded Pro Capture mode with up to 35 pre-shutter frames.
  • The Mark II has up to 14 pre-shutter frames.
• A new High Speed movie recording mode that allows recording 1080p video at up to 120fps.
• A new Handheld High Res Shot (HHHHR) mode that allows capturing 50MP images handheld, without the need for a tripod.
• An upgraded High Res Shot (HRS) mode that allows capturing up to 80M images.
  • The Mark II's High Res Shot (HRS) mode can capture up to 50M images.
• A new Starry Sky AF mode that locks focus on stars.
• A new Live ND mode that simulates the use of Neutral-density filters.
• Improved Face / Eye Priority Auto Focus algorithms.
• Custom Auto Focus target areas.
• Auto ISO settings available during recording.
• A new "My Menu". This is a customizable settings menu containing only items you select.
• USB-C battery charging (with a supported USB-C PD device and cable).
  • If configured, the camera can alternatively be powered directly via USB-C (without charging the battery, although it still needs to be present and hold over 10% charge). The HDMI output of the camera does not work during direct USB-C charging.
• A joystick has been added to the back of the camera. Useful for navigating menus and quickly changing Auto Focus areas.
• The menu button on the back of the camera has been moved from the bottom right to the top left.
• The Fn1 button on the back of the camera has been changed to an ISO button.
• For the mode dial on the top of the camera, a fourth custom mode (C4) has been added along with a Bulb (B) mode. The ART and iAUTO modes have been removed from the dial.
• The flash can be controlled wirelessly over radio.
• Over Wi-Fi on PC, the camera can be controlled and images can be transferred.
• Bluetooth v4.2 (supports BLE) has been added. It lets you connect your phone to the camera through the io.Share app without having to connect to the Wi-Fi access point first.

Hi-resolution shot mode

In tripod and handheld mode, the camera rapidly captures 8 images (Tripod) or 16 images (Handheld) which are combined into 160 Mpx (tripod) or 320 MPx (handheld) of data, which the camera combines into 80 MPx (10368×7776 px) images in tripod mode or 50 MPx (8160×6120 px) image in handheld mode. The tripod mode ISO limit is 1600, or ISO 6400 in handheld mode. Hi-resolution pictures can be saved just in JPEG format. Handhold exposure can be set up to 4 seconds.

The benefit of hi-res mode is bigger resolution, low noise and an increase of dynamic range.

Reception

The E-M1 Mark III was generally favored for improvements made over the Mark II, such as the introduction of a handheld mode and a lower base cost.

The camera took criticism for including the same 20-megapixel sensor, electronic viewfinder, and screen, as its predecessor, the Mark II. The same sensor is also present in the enthusiast-level Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III which was released just months earlier.